magic

"Princess, do you know magic?" The young voices of Caelan and Thorne brimmed with curiosity, their words tumbling over each

other like eager puppies.

Princess Lysaria's lips curved into a faint, enigmatic smile.

"Only light magic," she replied, her voice soft as a summer breeze, carrying a hint of

playful secrecy.

"Really?!" Thorne's eyes widened, sparkling with excitement. "Can you teach us?"

I listened intently from the sidelines, every word catching my attention. Our mother had strictly forbidden us from learning "real" magic, claiming it was too dangerous and we were far too mischievous. "Let's wait until you're seven," she'd always say. For now, all we knew was how to guide mana into our core. (Unlike veins, which some people lacked, everyone possessed a core, making mana accessible to all.)

"No, I can't," Princess Lysaria gently declined, shaking her head. "If your mother hasn't taught you, she must have a good reason."

From across the room, a graceful lady smiled, clearly pleased by the exchange. "The Princess is truly outstanding, and her manners are impeccable. It's a genuine blessing to the kingdom, no doubt thanks to Lady Eleonora's excellent teaching." She took a delicate sip of her tea.

"No, no, no! I couldn't possibly accept such credit," Lady Eleonora retorted, waving a hand dismissively. "It's all thanks to the King and the Princess's innate talent. A teacher simply guides; ultimately, it's up to the students to understand and apply what they learn."

"Cute…" A voice, barely a whisper, almost inaudible, drifted from the side. I turned to see Caelan making that familiar, pathetic face again.

As if sensing an opportunity, Caelan's expression shifted, and he suddenly began scolding Thorne. "Thorne, the Princess isn't your teacher! How can you ask her to teach you magic? Don't waste her precious time!" He then pivoted, his voice dripping with feigned concern. "Are you alright, Princess? Please, don't mind my brother. Would you like to walk around? I'd be honored to guide you and show you the beautiful views here!"

"Bastard!" Thorne's face flushed crimson, his voice rising. "Your Highness, I didn't mean it like that! I just—

"I believe you," Princess Lysaria interrupted, her voice soft and pleasant, cutting through Thorne's flustered explanation.

Thorne was stunned, his face flushing even deeper with embarrassment and a touch of something akin to adoration.

"However," the Princess continued, rising gracefully, "your proposal does pique my interest. Let me ask my tutor if it's permissible." She turned to Lady Eleonora.

"Lady Eleonora, can I go outside with Caelan, Thorne, and Lucien?"

Princess Lysaria asked, her voice a soft, pleasant melody.

Lady Eleonora considered the request for a moment, then offered a small, knowing smile. "Very well, Your Highness. But do be mindful of your studies. And remember, the grand tour of the estate awaits you tomorrow."

"Of course," Princess Lysaria replied, her composure unwavering. She turned to us, her sapphire eyes alight with a spark of childlike excitement that softened her regal demeanor. "Shall we?"

Caelan and Thorne nearly tripped over themselves in their haste to escort her from the drawing-room to the sprawling gardens. I followed at a more sedate pace, internally rolling my eyes at their overzealous attempts to be charming. They're like two puppies vying for attention, I thought, while she's a well-bred cat, entirely unbothered by their antics.

The air outside was crisp and clean, carrying the earthy scent of damp soil and the sweet perfume of blooming flowers. The late afternoon sun, filtered through the thick canopy of ancient trees, cast dappled shadows across the manicured lawns. Magical Butterflies flicker between reality and illusion, iridescent wings shimmering, flitted between vibrant blossoms, and the distant chirping of unseen birds created a gentle, natural symphony. This vibrant beauty, so unlike the shadowed corners of my past, brought a quiet warmth to my chest. It felt like a fresh canvas, ready for a new story.

"The air is so fresh here!" Princess Lysaria exclaimed, taking a deep breath, her delicate features softening with genuine delight. "It's quite different from the palace grounds."

"Indeed, Your Highness!" Caelan chirped, puffing out his chest. "Our estate is known for its pristine natural beauty. We have a private forest, a crystal-clear stream, and even a hidden waterfall!" He gestured grandly, as if he personally sculpted the landscape.

"And I know all the best places!" Thorne added, not to be outdone. "I can show you where the rare glow-moss grows, or where the pixies like to dance at twilight!" His voice was filled with an earnestness that was almost… endearing, despite himself.

I walked a few paces behind them, observing the Princess. She listened to their enthusiastic declarations with polite interest, occasionally offering a small, appreciative nod or a gentle smile. Her movements were fluid and graceful, every step precise, as if she were gliding rather than walking. Her laugh, when it came, was bright and bell-like, a sound that genuinely lit up her sapphire eyes, reaching them with a quiet joy. She truly seemed to find their boyish antics amusing and charming.

"She's just a child after all" I thought, looking at the Princess having fun not realizing her solemn exterior was broken.

After thinking about it for a moment I realize it was because it's only us in here free from public eyes.

"This way, Your Highness!" Caelan announced, veering off the main path and towards a winding trail that led deeper into the ducal gardens. Thorne quickly joined him, practically skipping beside the Princess.

As they chattered, pointing out various magical flora and fauna that release a suble frequency to ease the mind, I found myself drawn to the way the sunlight caught the Princess's golden hair, turning it into a shimmering halo. Her presence was undeniably captivating, not just because of her beauty, but because of an aura of quiet power that seemed to hum beneath her composed exterior. It was the same sensation I'd felt when our mother show us the "Veins of Origin," a subtle resonance of something ancient and formidable.No doubt about it the princess already step into supernatural realm as for how deep it was I can't see clearly.

"Lucien, aren't you going to join us?" Princess Lysaria's voice, soft but clear, broke through my thoughts. I realized she had paused and turned, her blue eyes fixed on me. There was a gentle curiosity in their depths, a silent invitation.

"Just enjoying the view, Your Highness," I replied, maintaining my calm exterior. A small, polite smile touched my lips, genuinely appreciating the vibrant scenery and the moment.

She simply nodded, a faint curve to her lips. "It is indeed a beautiful view." And with that, she turned back, continuing her stroll with my brothers, who were already bickering good-naturedly about which path to take next.

"Let's go this way, Princess!" Caelan pointed to the right, where Whispering Willows rustled with mana-infused leaves, floating freely in the breeze. "Their echoes are enchanting!"

"No, this way's better!" Thorne countered. "The Princess has surely seen willows before. Let's show her the Starbloom Grove—it glows under the afternoon sun!"

I fell back into my contemplative pace, the sounds of their innocent chatter filling the air. This new life, this new world, was a bewildering tapestry of beauty and magic, privilege and politeness. The raw beauty of the sunlit gardens, the carefree laughter of my brothers, and the quiet grace of the Princess—it all solidified the sense of a fresh start. The past was a foundation, not a cage. The light of this new life, the one I had desired, was indeed pulling me forward, and I was ready to walk into it.

....

Surrounded by fluttering butterflies, Princess Lysaria produced a palm-sized device that glowed softly when activated. She captured images of the exotic insects and vibrant scenery, . We are not worried about danger cause someone is responsible for ensuring this place is absolutely safe.Not to mention each of us have artifact for protection It's not an exaggeration to say that even if a attack that can destroy this 10 kilometer radius of garden fall ahead we would be unharmed and instantly teleport into safety.

The device's upper half glowed green—a message from Lady Eleonora. "Your father has brought delicious fruits for us to enjoy," it read.

"Let's go back," Lysaria said, her smile radiant and cute, leaving Caelan and Thorne momentarily stunned.

"Ye-yes!" Caelan stammered, recovering first.

"Yeah, let's go, Princess Lysaria!" Thorne added, his enthusiasm undimmed. "I'll pick the tastiest fruit for you!"

"Me too!" Caelan echoed, not to be outdone.

This earned her soft laughter, a delicate chime like crystal bells, light and fleeting, as if carried on a spring breeze. Her sapphire eyes sparkled with quiet mirth, her lips curving into a graceful smile as she tilted her head ever so slightly.

'If my mother is as beautiful as this would father became serious?..On no a man like him is not worthy and I wouldn't be born" I thought 'If I got a wife in the future she must have my mother temperament with a fraction of her beauty or at worse a Little above average.

.....

"Lucien come on! What are you waiting there for?! Are you thinking about magic again?!"Thorne voice brought me back to reality.

Caelan laughed, jumping in. "Yeah, he's probably imagining he's some big-shot mage already. Right, Your Highness?"

'Lucien? What's wrong "

Princess lysaria ignored caelan joke and instead look back at me tilting her head slightly while speaking.

"It's nothing I'm just thinking about learning magic haha let's go"

Hearing my words Princess Lydaria's pupil glowed faintly and her face turns cold.

"Really?"

"Yes.."

Just after I answered yes the atmosphere Change.

For a moment I feel as though light has left the earth.The surrounding darkened leaving only a huge blue eyes hanging on the sky like a moon,Her light words feels like a mountain and I feel like I'm on stage being questioned by the entire populous.

Just when I can't handle the pressure and confess my true thought she seems to realize something and blink.The light on her eyes fade and her expression softened back to her usual calm and noble self.

"Ha.." I took a deep breath now appreciating the air entering my lungs.

A soft voice murmured, "Sorry," as gentle hands brushed my back.

I turned to see Princess Lysaria, her expression kind and apologetic.

"What's going on?" Thorne muttered, confusion mixed with a pang of jealousy. He'd just seen Lucien freeze, gasp like he'd been underwater, and then get the princess's comforting touch. "I've been busting my ass, and this guy Lucien gets that for standing there? Aren't I supposed to be the charming one?"

"Hmm i think I understand what's going on"

Carlson said showing a calm demeanor in contrast to his actions before.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Thorne pressed.

"I don't know what really happens but I seem to see the princess eyes glowing then Lucien froze" Carlson explained.

"The Princess is attacking him? Why" Thorne ask in mix emotion after all even tho he like the princess he still side his in brother bit.

"Don't say attacking so carelessly it must be an accident like out of control viens of origin"

Caelan reasoned.

"Can viens of origin be out of control why didn't I hear mother saying this though?"

"Ah this is just my guess "

I listened to their chatter as the princess finish caressing my back and stood up extending her hand to me with gentle expression devoid of the coldness from before.

"Are you ok now?"

"Why ah...what happened?" I asked letting my curiosity get me..

"Yeah your Highness what happen?

Thorne also ask from the side.

"Hmmm no harm in telling you and treat this as my apology... It's one of my Vien of origin ability". Princess lysaria explained but didn't explain what it's effect or other ability.

But this is enough for me and my brother didn't press it anymore after all her status was there and it was really not a big deal.

"Besides,Any guy on earth would risk their fortune and life just to experience what I've experience"

I thought to comfort myself after all the feeling of being in that situation was horrifying like being stranded on outer space.

"But why Is the princess reacting like that?" Hmm..is it because I lied? Damn if this is true then I can only cry for her future husband." I thought as I accept her hand and stood up

"I see that there's nothing wrong so let's go"

She stood there not moving waiting for me light falling on her surreal face while caelan and Thorne urge me on the background.

"Yeah in a moment.."

I replied as we headed back towards the manor.

...

...

While Caelan and Thorne were practically bouncing, each trying to outdo the other with stories about the estate and to impress Princess Lysaria forgetting what happened. She walked between them, her steps light, her golden hair catching the light like it was trying to show off. I follow besides them I can't lag behind cause when I slow down the princess movement also showed thus slowing down caelan and Thorne,i half-listening to their chatter while my mind wandered.

When can I master magic?

I recall those blue eyes and can't help but shiver..

It feels like I'm back on that night where I fought James in life and death fight but something worse if before I can win but facing those eyes alone I can't make any form of resistance.

This..

This is really making excited! as a quite smile reach my lips..

Well not Under princess lysaria stare which bring calm into my face "Damn why is this girl looking at me again"

....

After a while

A floating luxurious carriage slowed down at a luxurious manor we use it cause the way back is taking too long if walk by.

as we near it the gardens gave way to a stone path lined with glowing starblooms, their petals pulsing faintly with stored mana. The air grew richer with the scent of jasmine.

Inside, the manor's grand hall was made up of precious material that can Change if desire Today it a luxurious modern like style and I saw my father Sitting on the main seat.

He was Tall,with broad shoulder his eyes was stern and calm just sitting there he exudes the aura of superior. Opposite him is a silver haired beautiful woman her attire was richly embroidered, and beside her is my mother Seraphine.